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    Effect of aromatic and non-aromatic solvents on the interfacial viscoelasticity and self-arrangement of asphaltenes

    Year: 2022

    Journal: Rheol. Acta, Volume 61, SEP, page 583–600

    Authors: Soares, Isabela Fernandes; Marin Castano, Eliana Paola; Limberger, Jones; Naccache, Monica Feijo

    Organizations: CNPq; CAPES; FAPERJ; Fulbright Brazil

    Keywords: Interfacial rheology; Asphaltene adsorption; Molecular self-arrangement; SEM microscopy

    Adsorption of asphaltene molecules at the oil-water interface induces the formation of a complex microstructure that stabilizes emulsions and impairs the efficiency of crude oil refining. We explore the contribution of polar and non-polar solvents to the rheology and self-aggregation of indigenous asphaltenes from a crude oil sample. We aim to assess the rheological properties of adsorbed layers by designing a set of protocols to explore the mechanical properties of asphaltene laden interfaces. The asphaltenes are also characterized by optical and SEM microscopy, besides surface-area isotherms. Our findings indicate that asphaltenes are a polycondensed aromatic island-type structure that are able to reversibly adsorb when toluene is placed onto the air-water interface. They also show that low aromatic solvents may lead to greater viscoelastic moduli due to disturbances on the asphaltene film. We find that the network growth and asphaltene self-arrangement are directly related to the solvent aromatic content.
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